To analyze deals efficiently, focus on key metrics like cash flow, cap rate, and expense ratios—make sure rental income covers mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance while hitting your 6% cap rate target.

Electric heat can be very expensive in the winter so I would always encourage landlords to have tenants pay utilities so they have some incentive to conserve.

Sounds like you and your future husband have a solid success plan in place. 

My plan is to rent it on a short term rental basis and stay for few weeks in a year with family/friends. 

Remember this is a marathon......That said are you planning to flip, hold(short or long term?)

In the area I lived the properties were too expensive (Watsonville CA) so I began doing farther searches out of my area.

Considering the change as the STR numbers just aren't working, especially with the associated expenses and turnover frequency.

And it could take even longer than 6-12 months to find a replacement depending on the area.The other things to look at carefully are major Capex or maintenance expenses - you didn't mention whether this was a NNN lease.

I plan to buy one or two more properties with the $200k, but then I will be out of capital.

Sounds like a great plan!